…urges early detection to save lives
By JOHN NWOKOCHA, Editor, Abuja
The World Health Organisation (WHO), has revealed a stark projection of Diabetes condition affecting around 59.5 million lives of people across the African continent in less than 25 year from now.
The organisation citing the International Diabetes Federation data said an estimated 24.6 million adults aged 20–79 years were living with diabetes in the African Region in 2024, raising fears about diabetes reaching 59.5 million by 2050.
The WHO raises the alarm, saying that nearly three out of four adults living with diabetes remain undiagnosed, representing the highest proportion globally.
The WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Mohamed Janabi, noted this in his message to commemorate World Diabetes Day 2026, under the theme “Early Action on Diabetes”.
According to him, Diabetes is increasingly affecting the lives and livelihoods of millions of people across Africa. He said despite the threat many people remained unaware that they have the condition until serious complications develop.
Janabi said many Africans are at risk of serious complications, including kidney failure, blindness, cardiovascular disease and lower-limb amputations, underscoring the urgency of his message.
Calling on individuals, communities, governments, health workers and partners across the WHO African Region to strengthen awareness, promote early diagnosis and ensure access to quality, affordable diabetes care, the director urges Africans to know the symptoms of diabetes and act early.
He identified the symptoms as increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, persistent tiredness and blurred vision may be warning signs. And advised that the symptoms must not ignored.
“Seek testing and medical advice promptly, and encourage family members and friends to do the same. “People at increased risk should also seek screening, as diabetes can develop without obvious symptoms.
Early diagnosis and timely treatment can prevent complications, reduce suffering and save lives,” Janabi advised.
He called on communities to raise awareness, share accurate information and challenge stigma and discrimination. Speaking further the director told people living with diabetes, “your experiences matter”. He encouraged them to “Share your stories, support one another and encourage others to seek care. Every conversation about diabetes is an opportunity to promote understanding and save lives”.
To healthcare workers, he urged them to recognise symptoms early, provide timely testing and deliver compassionate, person-centred care. “Every patient encounter is an opportunity to promote prevention, improve diabetes management and prevent complications,” he said.
He also called on governments to prioritize diabetes prevention, early diagnosis and continuous care within primary health care and universal health coverage. He said that this requires sustained investment in public awareness, affordable insulin and essential medicines, diagnostics, trained health workers and reliable health systems.
While urging development partners, civil society and the private sector to support country-led efforts, particularly in underserved communities, the WHO director raised hope for changing the narrative, assuring “there is reason for hope”.
He explained, “Through WHO Package of Essential Noncommunicable diseases (WHO PEN), technical package for cardiovascular disease (HEARTS), technical package for diagnosis and management of type 2 diabetes (HEARTS-D) and Regional strategy to address severe noncommunicable diseases at first-level referral health facilities (PEN Plus), WHO and its partners are supporting countries to strengthen diabetes services at primary health care and first-level referral facilities. I commend Rwanda for achieving nationwide district-level coverage of PEN-Plus, alongside other countries advancing implementation. However, significant gaps remain in access to trained health workers, diagnostics, essential medicines and continuous care”.
He reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to supporting Member States to accelerate progress in achievement of the 2030 targets of the Framework for the implementation of the Global Diabetes Compact in the African Region.
World Diabetes Day is marked on November 14 annually.
